Stackable container with stack-tabs

ABSTRACT

A tray-type container  10  includes a bottom wall  20,  longitudinally-extending outer side walls  22,  and laterally-extending end walls  24,  the outer side walls  22  and the end walls  24  extending upwardly from the bottom wall  20  to form an inner cavity  26.  As erected, the outer side walls  22  include a plurality of spaced-apart stacking tabs  28 A- 28 D, and the bottom wall forms a plurality of spaced-apart apertures  60, 70, 80, 82, 86,  and  88  for receiving the stacking tabs  28 A- 28 D of like or similar containers. A plurality of tray-type containers  10  may be unitized in several stacked configurations utilizing the stacking tabs  28  and apertures  60, 70, 80, 82, 86,  and  88.  Typically, the plurality of unitized containers  10  are placed upon a shipping pallet or slip sheet, or placed within a shipping container to facilitate shipping by large carriers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to shipping containers, and moreparticularly, to shipping containers having stacking tabs formed from asingle blank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the shipping container art, there are many container designsthat are manufactured for various end uses. One popular end use for acontainer is holding fresh fruits and produce during the transportationprocess (i.e., packing and shipping), and for displaying at the retaillevel. Usually when packing produce, such as tomatoes, peaches, mangosand the like, there is a typical size requirement in that the containervolume is sized to hold a certain amount of product. There is also astrength requirement given the weight of the product packed and theshipping and handling requirements. Such containers are generallyrectangular and have a variable height dimension ranging from three totwelve inches. Further, these containers are typically transported,stored, and displayed in a stacked configuration.

[0003] A well known single piece container design for holding produce isa single-piece tray type where a single piece of corrugated cardboard iscut and scored to form a flat blank. The blank has a bottom, two sidewalls hinged to the bottom and at least two end walls hinged to thebottom. To form the container, the walls of the blank are foldedupwardly to be normal to the bottom and then connected to form thecontainment volume within the four walls. Variations are well knownwhere top closure flaps are hinged to the top edges of the side walls,and for stacking strength, a second end wall can be hinged to the topedge of first end wall to then form a double layer of material therebyenhancing the stacking strength.

[0004] As was mentioned above, the tray-type containers are typicallystacked on top of one another during shipping, storing, and displayingat the retail level. To that end, suitable stacking strength is onerequirement of these types of containers so that the containers can bestacked as much as twenty containers high. One drawback with stackingcontainers into a unitized load is that the stacking strength is reducedif the containers are misaligned. To address this problem, stacking tabsand associated apertures have been added to the standard tray-typecontainer to aid in the alignment of the stacked containers when stackedinto a unitized load, while also maintaining the alignment of thecontainers during the transportation process. However, the currenttray-type containers with stacking tabs only allow for stacking in acolumn style configuration (i.e. the longitudinal axis of each containerare parallel with one another). Therefore, with the advent of stackingtabs, it has been the desire of the container industry to develop a traytype-container with stacking tabs that is stackable in the columnconfiguration, as well as other stacking configurations, such as aninterlocking configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a singlepiece blank for forming a tray-type container having an inner cavity andat least one stacking tab extending upwardly from the top of thecontainer is provided. The blank includes a bottom wall panel, and anend wall panel hingedly connected to the bottom wall panel by a firstfold line. The blank also includes an outer side wall panel having anouter edge and hingedly connected to the bottom wall panel by a secondfold line. An inner side wall panel is hingedly connected to the outerwall panel remote from the bottom wall panel by at least one bridgesection such that when erected, the inner side wall panel is foldedabout the bridge section, thereby forming a stacking tab from the bridgesection which extends outwardly away from the bottom panel. The blankfurther includes at least one first aperture positioned along the secondfold line between the bottom panel and the outer side wall panel andadapted to receive a stacking tab of another container when stacked in afirst configuration, and at least one second aperture spaced-apart fromthe first aperture and positioned along the second fold line between thebottom panel and the outer side wall panel. The second aperture isadapted to receive a stacking tab of another container when stacked in asecond configuration, the second configuration being different than thefirst configuration.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, acontainer includes a bottom wall, and side walls that extend upwardlyfrom the bottom wall. At least one stacking tab extends upwardly fromeach side wall. The container also includes end walls that extendupwardly from the bottom wall to form, along with the side walls, aninner cavity. At least one first aperture is formed at the intersectionof each of the side walls and the bottom wall. The first apertures areadapted to receive a stacking tab of another container when stacked in acolumn configuration. The container further includes at least one secondaperture formed at the intersection of each of the side walls and thebottom wall and spaced apart from the first apertures. The secondapertures are adapted to receive a stacking tab of another containerwhen stacked in the interlocking configuration. At least one thirdaperture is formed at the intersection of each of the end walls and thebottom wall. The third apertures are adapted to receive a stacking tabof another container when stacked in the interlocking configuration. Thecontainer further includes a plurality of spaced-apart fourth aperturesformed in the bottom wall remote from the intersection of the side wallsand the bottom wall. The fourth apertures are adapted to receive astacking tab of another container when stacked in the interlockingconfiguration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages ofthis invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomebetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray-type container formed inaccordance with the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank from which the tray-typecontainer of FIG. 1 is formed;

[0010] FIGS. 3A-3D are perspective views of one erection sequence of theblank shown in FIG. 2;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of tray-typecontainers of FIG. 1 in a column stacking configuration;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of tray-typecontainers of FIG. 1 in a cross-stacking or interlocking configuration;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a schematic representation of the firstlayer of the cross stacking configuration of FIG. 5; and

[0014]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a schematic representation of the secondlayer of the cross stacking configuration of FIG. 5 placed on the firstlayer of FIG. 6, wherein the stacking tabs of each container of thefirst layer protrude up through the associated apertures of thecontainers of the second layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] The present invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings where like numerals correspond to like elements.The present invention is directed to a tray-type container that utilizesstacking tabs on opposite side walls to create a modular stackablecontainer. The container includes an arrangement of apertures, which areadapted to receive the stacking tabs of another similar container toprovide for several different stacking configurations.

[0016] One suitable embodiment of a tray-type container, generallydesignated 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 1. The tray-type container 10 includes a bottom wall20, longitudinally-extending outer side walls 22, andlaterally-extending end walls 24, the outer side walls 22 and the endwalls 24 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 20 to form an innercavity 26. As erected, the outer side walls 22 include a plurality ofspaced-apart stacking tabs 28A-28D, and the bottom wall forms aplurality of spaced-apart apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88 forreceiving the stacking tabs 28A-28D of like or similar containers. Aplurality of tray-type containers 10 may be unitized in several stackedconfigurations utilizing the stacking tabs 28 and apertures 60, 70, 80,82, 86, and 88. Typically, the plurality of unitized containers 10 areplaced upon a shipping pallet or slip sheet, or placed within a shippingcontainer to facilitate shipping by large carriers.

[0017] The tray-type container 10 shown in FIG. 1 is made from anysuitable material used in shipping, such as cardboard, pasteboard,fiberboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, or a combination thereof. Asbest shown in FIG. 2, a blank 18 is stamped out of any of these suitablematerials and assembled in a manner which can be seen in FIG. 1.

[0018] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the blank 18 includes abottom wall panel 20A of generally rectangular shape having four edges.Unless otherwise apparent, the term “edges” refers generally to a zoneor line of weakness along which a part can be folded, such as a scoreline, or a cut line. Opposite outer side wall panels 22A and 22B arehingedly connected to opposite side edges of the bottom panel 20A alonginterrupted fold lines 30A and 30B, respectively. The blank 18 furtherincludes opposite end wall panels 24A and 24B, which are hingedlyconnected to the remaining two opposite edges of the bottom panel 20Aalong interrupted fold lines 32A and 32B, respectively. The outer sidewall panels 22A and 22B include end flaps 34A and 34B, which arehingedly connected to opposite ends of outer side wall panels 22A and22B along fold lines 36A and 36B, respectively. The fold lines 36A and36B are substantially perpendicular to fold lines 30A and 30B. Whenerected, as will be described in more detail below, the bottom wallpanel 20A, the outer wall panels 22A and 22B, and the end wall panels24A and 24B form the bottom wall 20, the outer side walls 22, and theend walls 24, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, the blank 18 further includes oppositeinner side wall panels 40A and 40B, which are hingedly connected toouter side wall panels 22A and 22B, respectively, via bridge sections42A-42D. The bridge sections 42A-42D include fold lines 44A-44D,preferably bisecting the bridge sections 42A-42D. The inner side walls40A and 40B are preferably constructed with a suitable height dimensionsuch that outer edge portions 46A and 46B abut against the correspondingportions of bottom panel 20A, thereby creating a standard double-plyside panel. In achieving the folded position, the inner side wall panels40A and 40B rotate inwardly 180 degrees about fold lines 44A-44D,thereby forming upstanding projections or stacking tabs 28A-28D from thebridge sections 42A-42D, respectively (The stacking tabs 28A-28D arebest shown in FIG. 1). The stacking tabs 28A-28D formed from the bridgesections 42A-42D are suitably dimension to be inserted intocomplimentary apertures of a like or similar container as container 10,as will be described in more detail below. In one embodiment, thestacking tabs are approximately 1.25 inches long and 0.25 inches talland are spaced approximately 11.8125 inches apart. The inner side wallpanels 40A and 40B include end flaps 50A and 50B, which are hingedlyconnected to opposite ends of inner side wall panels 40A and 40B alongfold lines 52A and 52B, respectively. The fold lines 52A and 52B aresubstantially perpendicular to fold lines 30.

[0020] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, stackingtabs 28A-28D are provided with the tray-type container 10 and may besuitable formed as described above. The stacking tabs 28A-28D areutilized to extend into a first set of apertures located in a similarlyconstructed tray-type container 10 when properly aligned longitudinallyin a stacked configuration known as column stacking, as best shown inFIG. 4. Looking now to the intersection of the bottom panel 20A and theouter side wall panels 22A and 22B of FIG. 2, the fold lines 30A and 30Bare interrupted by cut-out portions 60A-60D. In the embodiment shown,pairs of spaced-apart cut-out portions 60A, 60C and 60B, 60D arepositioned to interrupt fold lines 30A and 30B, respectively. The foldlines 30A and 30B form a part of the bottom edge of the erectedcontainer in its erected condition, and thus, the cutout portions60A-60D form the apertures 60 along the bottom edges of the outer sidewalls 22, as best shown in FIG. 1. Each cut-out portion 60A-60D issuitably positioned and dimensioned to accept upwardly extendingstacking tabs 28A-28D from another similar container positioned beneaththe container 10 as best shown in FIG. 4. Additionally, each cut-outportion 60A-60D is suitably positioned and dimensioned to accept anupwardly extending stacking tab from a container described in co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 09/974,447, which is hereby incorporated bereference. Returning to FIG. 2, provided along the outer edges 46A and46B of inner side wall panels 40A and 40B, respectively, are pairs ofspaced-apart generally rectangular cut-out portions 66A, 66C and 66B,66D, which are in substantial alignment with respective cut-out portions60A, 60C and 60B, 60D. Likewise, the cut-outs portions 66A-66D aresuitably dimensioned to accept upwardly extending stacking tabs 28A-28Dwhen like or similar containers are stacked one atop another.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, thecontainer 10 is suitable for cross stacking as shown best in FIG. 5. Topermit stacking in this configuration, the container 10 includesadditional apertures for receiving the stacking tabs of other likecontainers, which will now be described in detail. Looking back to theintersection of the bottom panel 20A and the outer side wall panels 22Aand 22B of FIG. 2, the fold lines 30A and 30B are further interrupted bypairs of spaced-apart cut-out portions 70A, 70C and 70B, 70D,respectively. The cut-out portions 70A-70D are positioned on the endwall panel side of and spaced-apart from the respective cut-out portions60A-60D such that the outer edges of the cut-out portions 70A, 70C and70B, 70D lie on the axes of the fold lines 30A and 30B, respectively.Thus, the cut-out portions 70A-70D form the apertures 70 along thebottom edges of the outer side walls 22, as best shown in FIG. 1. Thecut-out portions 70A-70D are suitably positioned and dimensioned toreceive any one of stacking tabs 28A-28D of another erected container10, as will be described in more detail below.

[0022] Similar to fold lines 30A and 30B, the fold lines 32A and 32B areinterrupted by sets of cut-out portions 80A-80D and 82A-82D. As shown inFIG. 2, the cut-out portions 80A-80D and 82A-82D are bisected by thefold lines 32A and 32B, respectively. The fold lines 32A and 32B form apart of the bottom edge of the erected container in its erectedcondition, and thus, the cutout portions 80A-80D and 82A-82D form theapertures 80 and 82 along the bottom edges of the end walls 24, as bestshown in FIG. 1. Each cut-out portion of the sets of cut-out portions80A-80D and 82A-82D is suitably positioned and dimensioned to accept anupwardly extending stacking tab from another similar containerpositioned beneath the container 10. Provided along the outer edges 94Aand 94B of inner side wall panel end flaps 50A and 50B, respectively,are generally rectangular cut-out portions 92A-92D. When the containeris in the erected position, cut-out portions 92A-92D are in substantialalignment with respective cut-out portions 80A, 80D, 82A, and 82D.Likewise, the cut-out portions 92A-92D are suitably dimensioned toaccept upwardly extending stacking tabs 28A-28D when like or similarcontainers are stacked one atop another.

[0023] The container 10 further includes a plurality of spaced-apartcut-out portions formed in the bottom panel 20A. In the embodimentshown, cut-out portions 86A-86D and 88A-88D are formed in the bottompanel 20A in substantial lateral alignment, while cut-out portions 86Aand 88A, 86B and 88B, 86C and 88C, and 86D and 88D, are in longitudinalalignment with cut-out portions 80A and 82A, 80B and 82B, 80C and 82C,and 80D and 82D, respectively. The cut-out portions 86A-86D and 88A-88Dare generally rectangular in shape and are suitably dimensioned toreceive two adjacent stacking tabs of side by side containers.

[0024] To enhance the ability for the container 10 to be stacked oneupon another, the side walls are constructed to tilt or lean inwardlyinto the cavity 26 of the container 10 when the container is assembled.Thus, the stacking tabs 28A-28D on the tilted side walls are in directalignment with the apertures 60A-60D disposed in the bottom wall panel20A. To achieve the tilting side walls, end panel facing edges 96A and96B of the end flaps 34A and 34B, respectively, taper away from the endpanels 24A and 24B while the outer edges 94A and 94B of the end flaps50A and 50B, respectively, taper toward the end panels 24A and 24B. Toaccommodate the side walls slanting inwardly when erected, oppositeedges of the end wall panels 24A and 24B are formed with notches 98A and98B. Thus, when erected, the outer side wall panel 22A and 22B engagethe notches 98A and 98B of the end wall panel 24A and 24B at fold lines36A and 36B, while the edges 96A and 96B and 94A and 94B of the endflaps 34A and 34B and 50A and 50B, respectively, align with the foldlines 32A and 32B. Accordingly, the depth of the notches 98A and 98Bdetermines the tilting angle of the side walls.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, one method of constructing thetray-type container 10 from the blank 18 will be described. In theensuing description, erecting one side of the containers will bedescribed. However, it will be appreciated that the other side of thecontainer is formed in substantially similar steps. The first stepbegins with the end wall panels 24A and 24B being each folded uprightapproximately 90° with respect to the bottom wall panel 20A, as bestshown in FIG. 3A. In this position, cutout portions 80A-80D and 82A-82Dform apertures along the edges of the end walls of the container toaccommodate stacking tabs of another similar container. Next, the endflaps 50B of the inner side wall panel 40B are folded outwardly 90°about fold lines 52B, as best shown in FIG. 3B.

[0026] The inner side wall panel 40B is then folded inwardly 180° alongfold lines 44B and 44D so that inner side wall panel 40B is juxtaposedagainst outer side wall panel 22B, causing the now folded end flaps 50to be in an upright position. At the same time the inner side wallpanels 40 are folded inwardly 180° along fold lines 44B and 44D so thatinner side wall panel 40B is juxtaposed against outer side wall panel22B, the stacking tabs 28B and 28D are formed from the bride sections42B and 42D, as best shown in FIG. 3C.

[0027] Next, the double-ply panel formed by the inner side wall and theouter side wall is folded upright 90° about fold line 30B so that thefold lines 36B abut against the notches 98B (FIG. 3C) of the end wallpanels 24A and 24B, as shown in FIG. 3D. The flaps 34B are then rotatedinwardly 90° about fold lines 36B so that they are juxtaposed againstthe outer surface of end wall panels 24A and 24B, and secured to theouter surface of end wall panels 24 via any conventional manner, such asbeing stitched or glued, to form corners. The resulting erectedcontainer forms the bottom wall 20, to outer side wall 22B, and the endwalls 24A and 24B. The end flaps 60 may then be secured to the insidesurface of end walls 24 via any conventional manner, such as beingstitched or glued. As was described above, the edges of end flaps 34Band 50B are formed with a slight taper and the edges of the end wallpanel 24A and 24B are formed with notches 98B, such that when securedtogether, the outer side wall 22B slant slightly inward toward themiddle of the container 10.

[0028] Once the container is erected from the blank 18 as describedabove, multiple assembled containers may be stacked in a longitudinalalignment known as column stacking, as shown best in FIG. 4, or may bearranged in a cross-stacking configuration known as an interlockingconfiguration in the packaging art. One such interlocking orcross-stacked configuration, which may be employed with the containers,is shown in FIG. 5. The cross-stacking configuration is composed inlayers of five containers, each layer alternating in arrangement. Thefirst layer of the cross-stacked configuration is shown in FIG. 6, whichis a plan view of a schematic representation of the first layer of thecross stacking configuration shown in FIG. 5. The first layer includesthree containers 210, 310, and 410 placed side-by-side and abuttingagainst one another. To complete the first layer, two containers 510 and610 are placed end to end against the end walls of the containers 210,310, and 410. In this position, stacking tabs 228B and 228D of container210 are positioned adjacent to stacking tabs 328A and 328C of container310, respectively. Likewise, stacking tabs 328B and 328D of container310 are positioned adjacent to stacking tabs 428A and 428C of container410, respectively.

[0029] To begin forming the second layer shown best in FIGS. 5 and 7, afirst container 710 is placed on the first layer of containers such thatthe outward facing side wall and end wall of the container 710 arecoplanar with the outward facing end wall and side wall of container210, respectively. When the container 710 is lowered into the positionshown in FIG. 7, the stacking tab 228A of container 210 extends upwardlyinto cut-out portion 780C of container 710, while adjacent stacking tabs228B and 328A of containers 210 and 310, respectively, extend upwardlyinto cut-out portion 788C of container 710. Since the cut-out portionsand stacking tabs are formed in the containers to be symmetrical, thecut-out portions of the containers properly align with and receive thestacking tabs, regardless of which end wall is coplanar with the outwardfacing side wall of container 210. For example, if the container 710were to be rotated 180 degrees such that the other end wall is coplanarwith the outward facing side wall of container 210, stacking tabs 228Awould be received by cut-out portion 782B, while adjacent tabs 228A and328A would be received by 786B.

[0030] Continuing to form the second layer, a second container 810 isplaced in end-to-end relation with respect to container 710. It will beappreciated that the dimensions of the containers are such that whenplaced end-to-end, the outward facing end wall of container 810 iscoplanar with the outward facing side wall of container 410. When thecontainer 810 is lowered into the position shown, the stacking tab 428Bof container 410 extends upwardly into cut-out portion 882C of container810, while adjacent stacking tabs 328B and 428A of containers 310 and410, respectively, extend upwardly into cut-out portion 886C ofcontainer 810.

[0031] Next, three containers 910, 1010, and 1110 are placed in aside-by-side fashion in the remaining space of the second layer,beginning with container 910. The container 910 is placed on top ofcontainers 510 and 210 in overlapping fashion such that one end wall ofthe container 910 abuts against the side wall of container 710, whilethe other end wall of container 910 is coplanar with the outer side wallof container 510. When the container 910 is lowered into the positionshown, the stacking tab 228C of container 210 extends upwardly intocut-out portion 970A of container 910. Additionally, stacking tabs 528Aand 528B of container 510 extend upwardly into cut-out portion 982B and986B, respectively, and stacking tab 228D of containers 210 extendsupwardly into cut-out portion 970B of container 910.

[0032] Once container 910 is in place, container 1010 is be lowered intothe position shown such that one end wall of the container 1010 abutsagainst the side walls of containers 710 and 810, while the other endwall of container 1010 is coplanar with the outer side walls ofcontainers 510 and 610. In this position, the stacking tabs 328C and328D of container 310 extend upwardly into cut-out portion 1070A and1070B of container 1010, respectively. Additionally, stacking tabs 528Cand 528D of container 510 extend upwardly into cut-out portions 1082Aand 1086B, respectively, and stacking tabs 628A and 628B of container610 extend upwardly into cut-out portions 1082D and 1086D of container1010, respectively.

[0033] At this point, the final container 1110 of the second layer maybe lowered into place as shown. The container 1110 is placed on top ofcontainers 610 and 410 in overlapping fashion such that one end wall ofthe container 1110 abuts against the side wall of container 810, whilethe other end wall of container 1110 is coplanar with the outer sidewall of container 610. When the container 1110 is lowered into theposition shown, the stacking tab 628C and stacking tab 628D of container610 extends upwardly into cut-out portions 1182C and 1186C of container1110, respectively. Additionally, stacking tabs 428C and 428D ofcontainer 410 extend upwardly into cut-out portion 1170A and 1170B,respectively. If a third layer is desired, the arrangement of the firstlayer is repeated on top of the second layer.

[0034] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changescan be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, the blank may also include other featuresspecified by the customer, such as hand holds, vent holes and the like.Additionally, while the blank described above and illustrated hereindepict the end wall 24 sandwiched between the end flaps 34A and 34B ofthe outer side walls 22 and the end flaps 50A and 50B of the inner sidewalls 40A and 40B, it will be readily evident to those skilled in theart that the containers blank may be slightly modified so as to allowthe bottom end flaps 34A and 34B and 50A and 50B to be attached toeither the inner or outer surface of the end walls 24. Further, it willbe appreciated that the stacking tabs may be formed by double-ply endwall panels, which can be formed substantially identical as the sidewall panels described above. In this embodiment, the location of theplurality of cut-outs that accept the end wall stacking tabs wouldchange accordingly.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A single piece blank forforming a tray-type container having an inner cavity and at least onestacking tab extending upwardly from the top of said container,comprising: a bottom wall panel; an end wall panel hingedly connected tosaid bottom wall panel by a first fold line; an outer side wall panelhaving an outer edge and hingedly connected to said bottom wall panel bya second fold line; an inner side wall panel hingedly connected to saidouter wall panel remote from said bottom wall panel by at least onebridge section, wherein when erected, said inner side wall panel isfolded about said bridge section, thereby forming a stacking tab fromsaid bridge section which extends outwardly away from the bottom panel;at least one first aperture positioned along said second fold linebetween said bottom panel and said outer side wall panel and adapted toreceive a stacking tab of another container when stacked in a firstconfiguration; and at least one second aperture spaced-apart from saidfirst aperture and positioned along said second fold line between saidbottom panel and said outer side wall panel, said second apertureadapted to receive a stacking tab of another container when stacked in asecond configuration, said second configuration being different thansaid first configuration.
 2. The blank of claim 1, further comprising atleast one third aperture positioned along said first fold line betweensaid bottom panel and said end wall, said third aperture adapted toreceive a stacking tab of another container when stacked in said secondconfiguration.
 3. The blank of claim 1, wherein said at least one thirdaperture is a plurality of spaced apart third apertures.
 4. The blank ofclaim 1, further including a plurality of fourth apertures formed insaid bottom wall and adapted to receive a stacking tab of anothercontainer when stacked in said second configuration.
 5. The blank ofclaim 1, wherein said first configuration is a column configuration. 6.The blank of claim 1, wherein said second configuration is aninterlocking configuration.
 7. The blank of claim 1, wherein said sidewall panel is constructed such that when erected, said stacking tab ofsaid side wall panel extends partially into said container cavity.
 8. Ina container of the type formed from a single blank cut and scored andhaving a bottom wall, two-ply side walls extending upwardly from thebottom wall, and end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall toform, along with the side walls, an inner cavity, the improvementcomprising: wherein each of said two-ply side walls includes an outerside wall panel having an outer edge and hingedly connected to saidbottom wall by a first fold line, and an inner side wall panel hingedlyconnected to said outer wall panel remote from said bottom wall panel byat least one bridge section, wherein when erected, said inner side wallpanel is folded about said bridge section, thereby forming a stackingtab form said bridge section which extends outwardly away from saidouter edge of said outer wall panel, at least one first aperturepositioned along each of said first fold lines between said bottom paneland said outer side wall panels, said first apertures adapted to receivea stacking tab of another container when stacked in a columnconfiguration; and at least one second aperture spaced apart from saidfirst aperture and positioned along each of said first fold linesbetween said bottom panel and said outer side wall panels, said secondapertures adapted to receive a stacking tab of another container whenstacked in an interlocking configuration.
 9. The improvement of claim 8,further including at least one third aperture formed in said bottom walland adapted to receive a stacking tab of another container when stackedin said interlocking configuration.
 10. The improvement of claim 9,further including at least one fourth aperture formed at theintersection of said end walls and said bottom wall, said fourthaperture adapted to receive a stacking tab of another container whenstacked in said interlocking configuration.
 11. A container comprising:a bottom wall, side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, atleast one stacking tab extending upwardly from each side wall; end wallsextending upwardly from said bottom wall to form, along with said sidewalls, an inner cavity; at least one first aperture formed at theintersection of each of said side walls and said bottom wall, said firstapertures adapted to receive a stacking tab of another container whenstacked in a column configuration; at least one second aperture formedat the intersection of each of said side walls and said bottom wall andspaced apart from said first apertures, said second apertures adapted toreceive a stacking tab of another container when stacked in saidinterlocking configuration; at least one third aperture formed at theintersection of each of said end walls and said bottom wall, said thirdapertures adapted to receive a stacking tab of another container whenstacked in said interlocking configuration; and a plurality of spacedapart fourth apertures formed in said bottom wall remote from theintersection of said side walls and said bottom wall, said fourthapertures adapted to receive a stacking tab of another container whenstacked in said interlocking configuration.